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YVES SAINT LAURENT

THE FOUNDER

PIERRE BERGÉ INTERVIEWS YVES SAINT LAURENT

(C) ESTATE JEANLOUP SIEFF

MUSÉE YVES SAINT LAURENT PARIS

THE HISTORY

Image Cassandre logo

1961

The house of Saint Laurent is founded by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris. Its iconic logo, entwining the initials ‘YSL’, is designed by the French graphic Artis Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, known as Cassandre. Its original form is still used as part of the house iconography today.

1962

On Monday, January 29 1962, the first collection for the house of Saint Laurent is presented, to immediate international acclaim. The first piece created by the ateliers is a little black dress.

1966

Saint Laurent launches a boutique to sell a unique ready-to-wear line, the first ever to be given the same attention and creativity energy as haute couture. Underscoring both the location of its first boutique in the 6th and a source of inspiration constantly behind the house - the avant-garde Left Bank of Paris - it is first named Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. It transforms the fashion industry, and invents designer ready-to-wear.

Héritage > Image Yves

1967

The house of Saint Laurent first collaborates with film,

designing the wardrobe of Catherine Deveuve for Luis

Buñuel’s landmark film Belle de Jour, including pieces from

both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections.

1968

Again a first - Saint Laurent launches a ready-to-wear

collection for men, Saint Laurent Rive Gauche pour Hommes,

opening a boutique the following year.

1971

The House of Saint Laurent presents its Spring/Summer 1971

haute couture collection, titled ‘Libération’ and inspired by the 1940s.

Initially causing a scandal, its strong-shouldered silhouette

sets the template for the 1980s, and becomes a hallmark of the house.

1974

The house of Saint Laurent moves to 5 avenue Marceau, Paris,

where the Musée Yves Saint Laurent now stands.

1976

In July, the house of Saint Laurent stages an opulent Fall/Winter

haute couture show inspired by the costumes of the

Ballets Russes (1909-1929). It is the first Saint Laurent show

presented on a raised catwalk, changing the way fashion is perceived

- opulent and decorative, it approaches fashion as an art form.

Héritage > Image Runway

1977

Drawing inspiration from Asian culture, the house of Saint Laurent

presents a collection dedicated to China. This coincides with the launch

of a new perfume titled Opium - the first time a couture collection had

ever been conceived around a scent. Connecting egalitarian and democratic

perfume with the magic of haute couture, Saint Laurent perceived

a new plurality of fashion communication.

1983

Yves Saint Laurent and the house of Saint Laurent are subject

to a retrospective exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

It is the first time a living designer has ever been honored in such a manner.

Héritage > Image Yves 2

1997

In an exceptional move - indicating his intention for the

house of Saint Laurent to continue after he himself retired,

and to cement his creative legacy - Yves Saint Laurent appoints

the designers Alber Elbaz and Hedi Slimane to head the

Saint Laurent Rive Gauche womens and mens lines respectively,

while he continues to design the haute couture.

1999

Gucci Group purchases the house of Saint Laurent in December.

In January 2000, Tom Ford is announced as creative director

of the Saint Laurent ready-to-wear lines for men and women.

2002

In January 2002, Yves Saint Laurent retires from the house

of Saint Laurent following a spectacular retrospective

haute couture show at the Centre Pompidou. The haute couture arm

of the house officially closes in October - Saint Laurent’s legacy

will continue purely through its ready-to-wear lines.

2004

Succeeding Tom Ford, Stefano Pilati is appointed creative director

of the house of Saint Laurent.

2012

Hedi Slimane is appointed creative director of the house.

The label is rebranded to simply read ‘Saint Laurent’,

referencing the ready-to-wear logo design and name

originally conceived in 1966.

Héritage > HQ Université

2015

The house of Saint Laurent moves its creative operation

to 24 Rue De L'Université on Paris’ Left Bank, an address

that emphasizes the ties of the house to this inspirational

arrondissement of the city.

Héritage > Image Vaccarello

2016

Anthony Vaccarello is appointed creative director

of the house of Saint Laurent.

Héritage > Image HQ

2017

The operations of the house of Saint Laurent move to

37 rue de Bellechasse, once again on the Left Bank of Paris.

Héritage > Image Show

2022

The house of Saint Laurent presents its Men’s Spring/Summer 2023

fashion show in Marrakech, the first time the house has staged a show

in a significant locale that served as both refuge and

muse to Yves Saint Laurent himself. It is also the first fashion show

presented by a major European luxury house on the African continent.